- Design New headlamp and tail-lamp lenses and new front and rear bumpers were fitted.[1]
- Design The side turn signals moved from the fenders to the door mirrors.[1]
- Powertrain The ML 430 was replaced by the 5.0-litre V8 ML 500, and the 4.0-litre V8 ML 400 CDI diesel became available in Europe.[1]
- Other More than 1,100 components were renewed.[2]
Mercedes-Benz GLE and M-Class · First generation · production 1997–2004
Mercedes-Benz M-Class (W163)
Key facts
| Production | February 1997[1] – December 2004[1] |
|---|---|
| First shown | 1997, North American International Auto Show, Detroit[2] |
| Sales start | September 1997 (United States)[2] September 1997 (Canada)[2] March 1998 (Europe)[2] |
| Model years | 1998–2005 (North America)[1] |
| Codes | W163 model code (series)[1] |
| Names by market | M-Class (All markets)[1] |
| Platform | Not documented here |
| Assembly | Vance (Tuscaloosa County), Alabama, United States (MBUSI)[1] Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr, 1999–2002)[1] |
| Body styles | 5-door SUV (body-on-frame)[1] |
| Seating | Not documented here |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive (4Matic (permanent, two-speed transfer case))[1] |
Photos
Facelifts and updates
Dimensions
| Market | Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market not stated | 1997–2002 (pre-facelift) | 4,587 mm (180.6 in) | 1,834 mm (72.2 in) | 1,775 mm (69.9 in) | 2,819 mm (111.0 in) | [1] |
| Market not stated | 2002–2005 (facelift) | 4,638 mm (182.6 in) | 1,839 mm (72.4 in) | 1,821 mm (71.7 in) | — | [1] |
| Market not stated | ML 55 AMG | 4,636 mm (182.5 in) | 1,895 mm (74.6 in) | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) | — | [1] |
Figures are as published by the source for that market and version; widths usually exclude mirrors. Conversions in brackets are ours.
Powertrains
| Version | Market | Type | Engine / motor | Power | Torque | Transmission | Drive | Years | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML 230 | Europe | Petrol | 2.3 L inline-4 | 110 kW (150 PS) | 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) | 5-speed manual | — | 1998–2001 | [1] |
| ML 320 | Market not stated | Petrol | 3.2 L V6 (M112) | 160 kW (218 PS) | 315 Nm (232 lb-ft) | — | — | 1998–2001 | [1] |
| ML 350 | Market not stated | Petrol | 3.7 L V6 | 173 kW (235 PS) | 346 Nm (255 lb-ft) | — | — | 2002–2005 | [1] |
| ML 430 | Market not stated | Petrol | 4.3 L V8 (M113) | 200 kW (272 PS) | 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) | — | — | 1999–2001 | [1] |
| ML 500 | Market not stated | Petrol | 5.0 L V8 | 215 kW (292 PS) | 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) | — | — | 2001–2005 | [1] |
| ML 55 AMG | Market not stated | Petrol | 5.4 L V8 (AMG) | 255 kW (347 PS) | 510 Nm (376 lb-ft) | — | — | 2000–2001 | [1] |
| ML 270 CDI | Market not stated | Diesel | 2.7 L inline-5 turbo-diesel (OM612) | 120 kW (163 PS) | 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) | — | — | 1998–2001 | [1] |
| ML 400 CDI | Market not stated | Diesel | 4.0 L V8 turbo-diesel (OM628) | 184 kW (250 PS) | 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) | — | — | 2001–2005 | [1] |
Power is shown in the unit the source uses first (kW, metric PS or SAE hp), with our conversion in brackets. A blank cell means the source does not state it.
Notes
- This generation is documented from English and German Wikipedia; no Mercedes-Benz press material is cited.
- Built at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International plant in Vance, Alabama (MBUSI, Tuscaloosa County) – the first Mercedes-Benz passenger-car plant in the US; some European-market cars were also built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria (1999–2002).
- North American model years 1998–2005. Production dates differ: English Wikipedia gives February 1997 – December 2004, German Wikipedia 1997–2005.
- The models were badged 'ML' (e.g. ML 320) although the series was called M-Class.
- English Wikipedia says the W163 seated five, or seven with an optional third row; no numeric source for seating was found, so seating is not recorded.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz GLE — Wikipedia Reference work (read 9 October 2026)
- Mercedes-Benz W 163 — Wikipedia (de) Reference work (read 9 October 2026)
Wikipedia sources link to the exact revision that was read. Specifications differ between markets, years and versions; each figure is shown with the market and version its source states.